Two Bills Drive

@ “In my opinion, it’s poor planning, because it’s really taxed everyone,” said Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. “I’m sure it probably has something to do with the collective bargaining agreement, but I’d still prefer they move free agency back a couple weeks, because we’d still be able to get everything accomplished.”

@ Dean Cain was a rookie free agent out of Princeton in 1988. He choose to try out for the Bills because Kelso had a head injuries previous year, knew that with Marv Levy’s system, he would get the chance to play in the preseason and prove himself.

Unfortunately an old knee injury forced him to have surgery before his first preseason game but Marv Levy told him to return next year. Cain’s injury turned out to be worse than expected. The knee never completely healed, so he had to retire.

As Cain became famous, his former coach Marv Levy came up with one of his best-ever lines. One week, the Bills were getting ready to face an opponent that someone in the media had called a “superteam.” “How many of you remember Dean Cain?” Levy asked his players in the locker room. A few guys raised their hands. “Well,” Levy said, “we CUT Superman!”

‘Should the Titans release Bishop, the expansion Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills are his most likely landing spots. Buffalo Coach Gregg Williams, who spent 11 years with the Titans/Oilers, has called Bishop ”one of my favorite players, an absolute warrior,” while ex-Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray is now the Bills’ defensive coordinator. Buffalo also runs much the same defensive scheme as the Titans do.’

‘Cowart has had two agents involved in talks with the Bills. But during the past several days Paul Healy, who based in Jacksonville, Fla., has taken over full responsibility for negotiating the contract.’

Sam Cowart, Buffalo, LB — If this were a year ago, and Cowart was coming off his Pro Bowl season of 2000, he’d be one of the more coveted names in free agency. But injuries have cost Cowart 19 of his team’s past 20 games, and players who have snapped an Achilles’ tendon are not the safest of bets.

Joni Graham, Alumni Relations Coordinator, talks about her department and tells about recent visit to the Veterans Hospital with Ernie Warlick and seven other ex-Bills.

Tied for Seventh best with Cleveland Browns after Houston Texans (-18,600,000), Arizona Cardinals (-16,400,000), Chicago Bears (-10,280,000), Minnesota Vikings (-8,300,000), Cincinnati Bengals (-8,200,000), and Philadelphia Eagles (-7,600,000).

QB Rob Johnson $6.15 million, CB Ken Irvin $1.9 million, DE Phil Hansen $2.6 million (retired), LT John Fina $3 million (will be released in June)

With decision on his future as the Bills QB expected soon, Johnson will appear as a guest on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Wed, Feb. 27 at 11:00 on ESN

Bills have begun the process of keeping restricted and exclusive rights free agents by tendering offers of $563,000 to restricted free agents Shawn Bryson, Jay Foreman, and Sheldon Jackson. The players have until April 15th to sign the tender offer.

Buffalo Bills announcement of planned Alumni events.

‘The mock drafts have the Bills taking Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington, Miami offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, Oklahoma safety Roy Williams and Texas offensive tackle Mike Williams.’

‘Safety Blaine Bishop is likely to get cut by the Tennessee Titans before the free agency season opens Friday. Look for him to reunite with his former coach, the Bills’ Gregg Williams.’

‘Ch2 Sports has learned that unless there is a drastic change of heart from Burrough, which is unlikely, the Bills will take their latest offer off the table March 1st when Cowart becomes a free agent. So Cowart then won’t have the strength of having a standing offer to compare against others he may or may not receive.’

‘Just wanted to let all of you know that Jim Kelly will be at Eastview Mall in Victor NY on March 6th from 6-8pm. He will be signing the Hunter’s Hope Bears only and they have to be purchased that night. NO MEMORABILIA will be signed at all. The bears are $20 and he actually signs the hag tag on the candle. Would love to meet any of the TBDers as I will be running this event.’